Sergio Garcia and TaylorMade Part Ways

By Rick Young Created: October 9, 2017

Rick Young

Rick Young

EQUIP AND BIZ

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CHARLOTTE, NC - AUGUST 09: Sergio Garcia of Spain plays his shot during a practice round prior to the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club on August 9, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

In a short but succinct company statement issued Monday, the Carlsbad, Calif., company announced Garcia has been released from the remaining years on his equipment contract, making the colourful Spaniard an unrestricted gear free agent.

“Today, after a memorable 15-year partnership with Sergio Garcia, we have mutually agreed on a release from the remaining years of his TaylorMade contract,” said the TaylorMade-generated release. “It has been an honour to play a role in his performance throughout his career, including the Players Championship, 19 worldwide wins, Ryder Cup heroics, and his 2017 Masters win. We congratulate Sergio on a career year and wish him all the best in the future.”

As of this writing, Garcia has not posted anything to social media on the split or about his new free agency status. Nor is there any indication which equipment brand he will wind up with. Prior to his 15-year stint at TaylorMade, Garcia was a member of the Titleist tour staff.

But there are indications Callaway Golf may be the frontrunner.

Reports of Garcia using Mack Daddy 2 wedges at the British Masters and a Toulon Design putter as far back as the Dell Technologies Championship clearly indicate some mutual interest by both parties.

For those unaware, Toulon Design is a high-end boutique putter franchise Callaway Golf purchased on August 29, 2016. Founder Sean Toulon is now a senior vice-president at Callaway and also general manager of Callaway’s Odyssey putter brand.

Contacted earlier today, a spokesperson for Callaway — as you would expect — had nothing to say on the matter of Garcia or his free agency.

“As a policy we do not comment on rumours or speculation. Thank you,” an email said.

Who or what initiated this parting? The tealeaves are not tough to read. Consider first how much TaylorMade commits annually to tour assets. That includes the mega deals the company signed in January with new staff members Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, last year’s re-ups with Dustin Johnson and Jason Day, a new deal with Jon Rahm and the multi-million dollar deal the company has with Justin Rose.

Factor in now what took place last week.

The divesture of TaylorMade, Ashworth Golf and Adams Golf from adidas AG through the sale of those brands by the three-stripe company to KPS Capital Partners, LP back in May is complete. It gives the private equity brand full operational control of TaylorMade and the freedom to establish its own business plan going forward.

It is no secret that KPS Capital Partners has a history of streamlining operations, as most private equity firms do, to keep its corporate assets attractive for future buyers.

Cuts to tour staff are one of the most obvious places KPS Capital can shed immediate payroll.

One could also surmise Garcia is only the first of other select TaylorMade tour staff buyouts, although the company has made no indication of such beyond today’s release of the reigning Masters champion.